Missouri has lost some depth in its front seven after the announcement from coach Eli Drinkwitz on Tuesday at his press conference that redshirt senior DL/LB Tre Williams has left the team.

Williams has 21 tackles this season and has played in every game, with 2 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss.

“Tre came in and had a conversation about his future with Mizzou football,” Drinkwitz said. “As of right now, he’s exploring opportunities outside of Mizzou football and he’s earned that right. I love Tre. I love everything about him, and the way he plays and so we wish him the absolute best with whatever he decides to do with his future.”

Williams is a Columbia, Missouri native (Rock Bridge) and is listed at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds.

“I’m really proud of Tre, I love the fact that he was on our team, and what he’s meant to us and I’ll leave it at that,” Drinkwitz said.

Last year, Williams made 24 tackles with 3 tackles for loss and a one sack along with 5 QB hurries, the second-most on the team behind only NFL Draft third-round pick Jordan Elliott. He started 14 games combined the last 2 seasons.

At that position, Mizzou has seen Trajan Jeffcoat lead the team in sacks with five, and has exceeded expectations.

“That shows the character of the young man that he stayed in shape and he worked and he waited for his opportunity,” Drinkwitz said.